UNIT 4: Transoceanic Interconnections - Heimler Review Guide

Causes of European Exploration

Adoption and Innovations in Maritime Technology

Magnetic Compass: Originated from China.
Astrolabe: Developed in Ancient Greece & Arab world; helped understand latitude.
Lateen Sail: From Arab World, improved navigation against the wind.
Portuguese Caravel: A nimble ship design ideal for riverine and shallow coastal navigation.
Impact: Cross-cultural interactions led to the diffusion of navigational technology, facilitating European exploration from 1450-1750.

Political Changes in Europe

Growth of State Power: European monarchs centralized power, reducing noble influence.
State Sponsorship: Enabled the funding of maritime exploration.

Economic Changes

Demand for Asian Goods: Expensive spices led Europeans to bypass middlemen.
Mercantilism: Accumulation of wealth through a favorable balance of trade (exports > imports).
Colonies: Served as closed markets enhancing mercantilist policies.
Joint-Stock Companies: Limited liability businesses, e.g., Dutch East India Company.

Establishing Maritime Empires

Portuguese and Spanish Empires

Portugal: Established trading post empires in Africa and Indian Ocean using caravels and gunpowder.
Spain: Sponsored Columbus; colonized Americas and Philippines; used tribute and coerced labor.
French Exploration: Focused on trade rather than colonization, particularly in Canada.

The Indian Ocean Network & The Columbian Exchange

English Colonization

Attempts: Initial failure at Roanoke; successful establishment in Jamestown.

Dutch Maritime Empire

Independence: From Spain, established Dutch East India Company.
Trade Dominance: Monopolized the Indian Ocean spice trade.

The Columbian Exchange

Disease Transfer: Smallpox, measles, malaria severely affected Native Americans.
Food Exchange: New foods increased diets and lifespans on both hemispheres.
Cash Cropping: Popularized in the Caribbean for sugar production.

Resistance to Imperial Expansion & Expansion of African States

Resistance Movements

Maroons: Communities of runaway slaves, notably in Jamaica.
Fronde Rebellion: French noble-led rebellion against tax increases.

African States

Asante Empire: Thrived through trade of goods and slaves.
Kingdom of Kongo: Converted to Christianity to facilitate trade.

Continuities in Trade Networks

Indian Ocean & Silk Roads

Intra-Asian Trade: Continued profitably despite European entry.
Silk Roads: Maintained control by Asian powers.

Labor and Production

Peasant Labor: Continued and intensified to meet European demands for goods.

Changes in Labor Systems

Atlantic System

Trade: Involved goods, labor, and wealth transfer between hemispheres.
Mita System: Forced labor redefined by Spanish for mining.

Slavery

Chattel Slavery: Property-like ownership, race-based in the Americas.
Demographic Changes: Gender imbalance in Africa; cultural synthesis in the Americas.
Indentured Servitude: Seven-year labor contract, common in North America.
Encomienda & Hacienda Systems: Forced labor systems akin to feudalism.

Changing Belief Systems & Social Hierarchies

Syncretic Religions

Christianity: Blended with indigenous and African beliefs in the Americas.

Social Hierarchies

Casta System: Racial-based hierarchy in Spanish colonies.
Qing Dynasty: Created Manchu elite by reserving top jobs for them.

Political Struggles

Russia: Boyars resisted czar’s centralization, leading to abolition of their ranks.

These notes encapsulate the critical facets of European exploration, the establishment of maritime empires, trade networks, and the socio-economic changes during 1450-1750. They detail the factors influencing exploration, the dynamics of new and traditional trade, labor systems, and the resultant socio-political transformations.

Unit 4